Introductory message by the Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture

Christian Schmidt,
Member of the Bundestag
Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture

HomeIntroductory message by the Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture

Dear Readers,

Globally speaking, the agricultural sector is an industry that has a strong influence on society, the environment, human well-being and on regional and supra-regional structures. Livestock farming safeguards the livelihoods of around 1.3 billion people and underpins the development of rural areas. Yet livestock husbandry is also a user of natural resources for agricultural purposes and generates around 15 percent of man-made greenhouse gas emissions. We must therefore strike a fair balance between the growing global demand for animal products and achieving the climate objectives agreed upon in Paris.

The agricultural sector thus faces the huge challenge of meeting the growing global need for foodstuffs of animal origin, making production more environmentally friendly and climate-friendly, whilst fulfilling consumer expectations for animal welfare.

At the 10th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) – the Berlin World Food Conference, representatives from politics, industry, science and society will be addressing the key issues regarding the future of the global agri-food industry and will assume collective responsibility. Under the title “Shaping the future of livestock – sustainably, responsibly, efficiently”, we will engage in a broad international dialogue in order to stimulate debate and develop potential solutions. My Ministry has for several years now successfully set the global agenda with the subjects chosen for GFFA. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture will continue to play a strong role in international processes and give impetus to enhancing the global food situation.

The different GFFA events will shed light on the individual aspects of this year’s subject. The political highlight will be the Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference, the largest international conference of agriculture ministers in the world. Your decisions will be set out in the final communiqué and will subsequently feed into and advance international agricultural policy discussions and processes.

The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture will host the GFFA in cooperation with the Berlin Senate, Messe Berlin GmbH and the German agricultural and food industries, represented by GFFA Berlin e.V..

I would like to cordially invite you to join in the discussions and meetings and help enhance the GFFA with your ideas!

With best regards,Christian Schmidt, Member of the BundestagFederal Minister of Food and Agriculture